The AztecsThe Aztecs

The Chichimec PeriodThe Chichimec Period

Cultural InnovationsCultural Innovations

Social/Political StructureSocial/Political Structure

The Chichimec PeriodThe Chichimec Period

The Aztec originated from somewhere in north The Aztec originated from somewhere in north or northwest Mexico. or northwest Mexico. At that time the Aztecs (who referred to At that time the Aztecs (who referred to themselves as the Mexica or Tenochca) were a themselves as the Mexica or Tenochca) were a small, nomadic, Nahuatl-speaking aggregation small, nomadic, Nahuatl-speaking aggregation of tribal peoples living on the margins of of tribal peoples living on the margins of civilized Mesoamerica.civilized Mesoamerica.Sometime in the 12th century they embarked Sometime in the 12th century they embarked on a period of wandering and in the 13th on a period of wandering and in the 13th century settled in the central basin of México.century settled in the central basin of México.

The Aztecs finally found refuge on small The Aztecs finally found refuge on small islands in Lake Texcoco where, in 1325, islands in Lake Texcoco where, in 1325, they founded the town of TENOCHTITLAN they founded the town of TENOCHTITLAN (modern-day Mexico City). (modern-day Mexico City). Other Chichimecs followed who were Other Chichimecs followed who were more civilized but stole women and more civilized but stole women and practiced sacrifice.practiced sacrifice.– brought knowledge of the Maya calender brought knowledge of the Maya calender

system, cultivated crops with irrigation, system, cultivated crops with irrigation, constructed with stone.constructed with stone.

The Chichimec PeriodThe Chichimec Period

Aztec Origin MythAztec Origin Myth

Little is known of the earliest Aztecs, they did not keep Little is known of the earliest Aztecs, they did not keep a written record. Their history was passed on by word a written record. Their history was passed on by word of mouth from one generation to the next. Legend has of mouth from one generation to the next. Legend has it that they came from an Island called Aztlan, meaning it that they came from an Island called Aztlan, meaning White PlaceWhite Place - - Place of HeronsPlace of Herons. .

There is one codex, the There is one codex, the Tira de la Peregrinacion,Tira de la Peregrinacion, commonly called the commonly called the Migration Scrolls.Migration Scrolls. The scrolls The scrolls have the Aztecs leaving Aztlan, which was described have the Aztecs leaving Aztlan, which was described as an island in a lake with Chicomoztoc depicted as as an island in a lake with Chicomoztoc depicted as seven temples in the center of the island. seven temples in the center of the island.

The Aztecs believed Huitzilopochtli their war god was their The Aztecs believed Huitzilopochtli their war god was their protector, now had them search for their protector, now had them search for their promised land.promised land. The Aztecs straggled into the Valley of Mexico, led by their chieftain The Aztecs straggled into the Valley of Mexico, led by their chieftain Tenoch. They were a poor, ragged people who survived on vermin, Tenoch. They were a poor, ragged people who survived on vermin, snakes, and stolen food. They were hated and rejected by all the snakes, and stolen food. They were hated and rejected by all the surrounding inhabitants of the valley, for their barbarous and surrounding inhabitants of the valley, for their barbarous and uncultured habits. uncultured habits. Huitzilopochtli told Tenoch to lead his people to a place of refuge on Huitzilopochtli told Tenoch to lead his people to a place of refuge on a swampy island in Lake Texcoco. When they reached their a swampy island in Lake Texcoco. When they reached their destination, they were to look for an eagle perched on a cactus, destination, they were to look for an eagle perched on a cactus, growing from a rock or cave surrounded by water. At that location, growing from a rock or cave surrounded by water. At that location, they were to build their city and honor Huitzilopochtli with human they were to build their city and honor Huitzilopochtli with human sacrifices. The city they built was called Tenochtitlán, the city of sacrifices. The city they built was called Tenochtitlán, the city of Tenoch. Tenoch.

Aztec Origin MythAztec Origin Myth

What is the meaning of the word What is the meaning of the word Aztlan?Aztlan?

Aztlan is the mythical place of origin of the Aztec peoples. Aztlan is the mythical place of origin of the Aztec peoples. In their language (Nahuatl), the roots of Aztlan are the two words: In their language (Nahuatl), the roots of Aztlan are the two words: aztatl tlan(tli) meaning "heron" and "place of," respectively. 'Tlantli' aztatl tlan(tli) meaning "heron" and "place of," respectively. 'Tlantli' proper means tooth, and as a characteristic of a good tooth is that it proper means tooth, and as a characteristic of a good tooth is that it is firmly rooted in place, and does not move, the prefix of this word is firmly rooted in place, and does not move, the prefix of this word is commonly used in Nahuatl to denote settlements, or place is commonly used in Nahuatl to denote settlements, or place names, e.g. Mazatlan (place of deer), Papalotlan (place of names, e.g. Mazatlan (place of deer), Papalotlan (place of butterflies) or Tepoztlan (place of metal). butterflies) or Tepoztlan (place of metal). The Nahuatl language is often said to include three levels of The Nahuatl language is often said to include three levels of meaning for its words or expressions: literal, syncretic and meaning for its words or expressions: literal, syncretic and connotative. The connotative meaning of Aztlan, due to the connotative. The connotative meaning of Aztlan, due to the plumage of herons, is "Place of Whiteness." The mythical plumage of herons, is "Place of Whiteness." The mythical descriptions of Aztlan would have it to be an island. You would descriptions of Aztlan would have it to be an island. You would replace -tlan with -tecatl to identify a resident or person from the replace -tlan with -tecatl to identify a resident or person from the given place. So, for the examples above, we have that people from given place. So, for the examples above, we have that people from Mazatlan would be Mazatecatl, someone from Tepoztlan a Mazatlan would be Mazatecatl, someone from Tepoztlan a Tepoztecatl, and someone from Aztlan an Aztecatl.Tepoztecatl, and someone from Aztlan an Aztecatl.

Mixeca/AztecMixeca/AztecTechnically squatted in the area of Tenochtitlan and Technically squatted in the area of Tenochtitlan and were known as the Mixeca but today Aztecs is more were known as the Mixeca but today Aztecs is more common.common. The Aztecs remain the most extensively documented The Aztecs remain the most extensively documented of all Amerindian civilizations at the time of European of all Amerindian civilizations at the time of European contact in the 16th century. contact in the 16th century. Spanish friars, soldiers, and historians and scholars Spanish friars, soldiers, and historians and scholars of Indian or mixed descent left invaluable records of of Indian or mixed descent left invaluable records of all aspects of life. These ethnohistoric sources, linked all aspects of life. These ethnohistoric sources, linked to modern archaeological inquiries and studies of to modern archaeological inquiries and studies of ethnologists, linguists, historians, and art historians, ethnologists, linguists, historians, and art historians, portray the formation and flourishing of a complex portray the formation and flourishing of a complex imperial state. imperial state.

Basin of MexicoBasin of Mexico

Chain of interconnected lakes, 3-6, but Chain of interconnected lakes, 3-6, but the Aztecs talked about three-Chalco, the Aztecs talked about three-Chalco, Texcoco, and Xaltocan.Texcoco, and Xaltocan.– Lake TexcocoLake Texcoco

deepest and water flowed from it to other lakesdeepest and water flowed from it to other lakes

the Basin is about 3,000 sq miles and about the Basin is about 3,000 sq miles and about 15% of that is covered by water.15% of that is covered by water.

Population estimates at around Population estimates at around A.D.1519 are between 1 to 1.2 million.A.D.1519 are between 1 to 1.2 million.

Aztec EmpireAztec Empire

TenochtitlanTenochtitlan

How were they all fed?How were they all fed?

Used the Chinampas (floating gardens) for Used the Chinampas (floating gardens) for agriculture.agriculture.– 25,000 acres of chinampas at the time of contact.25,000 acres of chinampas at the time of contact.– gardens never actually floated, but were created gardens never actually floated, but were created

by making use of the vegetaion in the swamps. by making use of the vegetaion in the swamps. – Floating water plants were used to build up Floating water plants were used to build up

gardens and then were dragged onto shore for gardens and then were dragged onto shore for chinampas.chinampas.

– They became anchored to the native cypress.They became anchored to the native cypress.– Lake mud was piled on and canals were built.Lake mud was piled on and canals were built.

ChinampasChinampas

However, although chinampas were very However, although chinampas were very productive, the number of people living in productive, the number of people living in the area at the time of contact could not the area at the time of contact could not keep up with subsistence and surplus food keep up with subsistence and surplus food demands.demands.

These marsh plots also brought in birds These marsh plots also brought in birds and fish that could be gathered while they and fish that could be gathered while they were working.were working.

ChinampasChinampas

Ancient Aztecs tending to chinampas

http://www.rose-hulman.edu/~delacova/aztec-society.htm

Cultural Innovations:Cultural Innovations:Trade, Economics, Market SystemTrade, Economics, Market System

Part of inter-related regions which Part of inter-related regions which consisted of Morelos to the south, Puebla consisted of Morelos to the south, Puebla to the east, Mezquital to the north, and to the east, Mezquital to the north, and Toluca to the west.Toluca to the west.– although many crops the same, some areas although many crops the same, some areas

had their specialty crops.had their specialty crops.– tropical fruits, cotton, cacao from Morelos, tropical fruits, cotton, cacao from Morelos,

beans from Puebla.beans from Puebla.– flowers were also a big part of the economy flowers were also a big part of the economy

because one of the great pleasures was of because one of the great pleasures was of the smelling of flowers.the smelling of flowers.

Aztec Market (Tlateloco)Aztec Market (Tlateloco)

Market days were held once each five days, four Market days were held once each five days, four times each month. Sometimes daily in larger times each month. Sometimes daily in larger towns.towns.– reflected community craft specializations as well as reflected community craft specializations as well as

imported goods.imported goods.– also slaves were traded, and dogs for food (400 on a also slaves were traded, and dogs for food (400 on a

slow day).slow day).

Bernal Diaz de Castillo says that he didn’t even Bernal Diaz de Castillo says that he didn’t even have time to list how many things were offered have time to list how many things were offered one day at the market of Tlateloco.one day at the market of Tlateloco.– commodities and goods exchanged by barter.commodities and goods exchanged by barter.

Cultural InnovationsCultural Innovations

WritingWriting– Nahuatl language spoken at conquest, living Nahuatl language spoken at conquest, living

language today.language today.– Many codices and glyphs to describe lifeways of Many codices and glyphs to describe lifeways of

Aztecs, as well as Spanish accounts.Aztecs, as well as Spanish accounts.

Several Significant Codices:Several Significant Codices:– Codex Borbonicus Codex Borbonicus – Florentine Codex – Codex Mendoza

Codex Borbonicus Codex Borbonicus

A scene from the Codex Borbonicus, which shows the gods Tlachitonátiuh and Xolotl, while on the right are the

8 to 13 days of the sixteenth series of the ritual series.

 

http://www.rose-hulman.edu/~delacova/aztecs4.htm

Florentine CodexFlorentine Codex

Human sacrifice http://www.rose-hulman.edu/~delacova/florentine-codex.htm

Codex MendozaCodex Mendoza

Tribute 

http://www.rose-hulman.edu/~delacova/codex-mendoza.htm

Cultural InnovationsCultural Innovations

ArtArt– Stone carving to communicate ideas.Stone carving to communicate ideas.– Free-standing figures of Aztec deities.Free-standing figures of Aztec deities.– Aztec Calender stone.Aztec Calender stone.– Atlantean figures and chocmoolsAtlantean figures and chocmools

MetallurgyMetallurgy– acquired from Maya.acquired from Maya.– Mostly gold, silver.Mostly gold, silver.

ArtArt

http://www.mesoweb.com/features/jpl/99.html

Obsidian vessel carved Obsidian vessel carved in the shape of a in the shape of a monkey monkey

Polychrome terracota plaque with molded and apliquéd sculpture of a human face

Stone box with representations of corn cobs

JewelryJewelry

Necklaces found in the  Great Temple at Tenochtitlan

http://www.rose-hulman.edu/~delacova/aztec-jewelry.htm

MasksMasks

http://www.rose-hulman.edu/~delacova/aztec-masks.htm

Social StructureSocial Structure

Basic unit of social organizationBasic unit of social organization– calpulli (clan) calpulli (clan) – not all lineages within the clan were equal.not all lineages within the clan were equal.

Membership by birth.Membership by birth.– families traced their descent through fathers, families traced their descent through fathers,

which is a lineage, and these lineages make which is a lineage, and these lineages make up a calpulli.up a calpulli.

– marry within the calpulli.marry within the calpulli.– one lineage provides leader of that calpule.one lineage provides leader of that calpule.

Four principle social categories:Four principle social categories:

Pipiltin-Pipiltin-– ruler of the city state and his relatives.ruler of the city state and his relatives.– only ones to own their own landonly ones to own their own land

Macehualtin-commoner clan.Macehualtin-commoner clan.– serfs who worked others land.serfs who worked others land.

Pochtea-merchant clan. Pochtea-merchant clan. – owned communal land.owned communal land.

Tlacotin-slaves.Tlacotin-slaves.– no land, no rights.no land, no rights.– reversible status.reversible status.

Political OrganizationPolitical Organization

Divine King or ruler of AztecDivine King or ruler of AztecEach city (other than Tenochtitlan) ruled by a petty-Each city (other than Tenochtitlan) ruled by a petty-king selected from the pipiltin.king selected from the pipiltin.Dual leadership-military and religiousDual leadership-military and religious– supreme leader chosen from special lineage, with brother supreme leader chosen from special lineage, with brother

succeeding brother.succeeding brother.– court which ruled over military, justice, treasury, and court which ruled over military, justice, treasury, and

commerce.commerce.

Moctezuma II http://www.rose-hulman.edu/~delacova/florentine-codex.htm